Steve McMichael enjoyed a legendary 13-year NFL career, during which he became known as “Mongo” by both fans and teammates for his iconic role on the Chicago Bears’ defensive line. Fans of the NFL may now be looking at players like Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy as stars, but for many kids growing up in the 1990s, McMichael was their hero on the field.
There is finally a ray of hope appearing for the former NFL player, McMichael, as reports suggest that he is making gains toward recovery. This comes after months of questions regarding his health, which have been a source of worry.
Steve McMichael returns home following hospital stay
After an eight-day stay, Steve McMichael has finally returned home, having been discharged from Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox on Friday. Misty McMichael, his wife, initially expressed concerns about pneumonia, prompting her to call for an ambulance.
However, doctors diagnosed him with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and administered three antibiotics, expecting a prompt recovery. The antibiotics effectively treated the UTI, and the doctors later discharged him.
While the future Hall of Famer is now out of immediate danger, his recovery will involve continued around-the-clock nursing care, a routine he has maintained for the past two years. Despite the ongoing care, he remains grateful to be back home with his wife and daughter, where he feels most comfortable.
His family spokeswoman, Betsy Shepherd, thanked his fans for the immense support and prayers that played a crucial role in helping Steve overcome this health challenge.
“The outpouring of love, support and prayers have helped Steve get through this latest battle. All he wanted was to get home to [wife] Misty and [daughter] Macy where he feels most comfortable,” the statement read, per NBC Sports.
Throughout his NFL career, McMichael achieved significant accolades, earning Pro Bowl selections twice and being named to both the first and second teams of the NFL All-Pro teams three times. In 2019, his contributions to the Chicago Bears franchise were recognized when authors Don Pierson and Dan Pompei ranked him as the 19th-best player in the team’s history.
After having spent 13 years as a defensive tackle for the Bears, the former Bears’ standout played a pivotal role in the team’s historic Super Bowl XX championship victory.
How long is Steve McMichael had ALS?
Since 2021, Steve McMichael has been facing the challenges of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is a progressive and debilitating neurodegenerative disease. This condition has progressively impacted his ability to communicate and perform basic tasks like feeding himself, which is attributed to the loss of motor neurons controlling voluntary muscles.
Back in 2023, McMichael’s health took a severe turn when he was hospitalized at Silver Cross Hospital in Illinois due to suspected pneumonia and a fever, which rendered him unconscious.
However, further complications arose when he was diagnosed with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It is a highly antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria that caused a staph infection that necessitated a blood transfusion as part of his treatment.
Amid his health challenges, McMichael received one of the highest honors in football earlier this year when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His induction into the Hall of Fame, scheduled for August as part of the Class of 2024 in Canton, Ohio.
According to Misty McMichael, the ultimate goal is for Steve to live long enough to witness this prestigious acknowledgment of his contributions to the sport.
